to push off
14
6.8
- phrasal verb
- /pʊʃ ɔf/
- Informal
:
irse
- Push off!
- push off from a dock
- ready to push off
- then push off
So I literally, I push off the side and then just go into a back float.
- So I literally, I push off the side and then just go into a back float.
- You can only glide in the direction of the blades and you can only push off lateral to the blades.
- I'm trying to push off and make sure I feel that in my toe on each foot and then have that leg swing through.
Examples
-
Push off.
-
Come on, Eddie, push off.
-
Was I supposed to watch you push off and not go myself?
-
Can you guys push off, please?
-
I want you to push off.
-
I'll have to be pushing off in a minute.
-
I think perhaps I'd better push off.
-
Ready to push off?
-
Well...we'd better push off if we're gonna get to my cabin by sundown.
-
We should push off early in the morning to avoid traffic.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To go away from a place, person, or group
∞
1.0
Leave a place or situation
∞
3.0
Leave a place quickly or suddenly
709
1.0
To leave a place or person and go somewhere else
632
3.5
Leave a person, place, or situation without taking part anymore
273
3.2
To leave a place quickly, often to travel somewhere else
206
3.4
To stop being involved in an activity or agreement
176
1.3
To leave a place to start a journey
175
8.4
To leave a place quickly or suddenly
112
3.4
Leave a place suddenly because you are angry or protesting
86
3.5
To move away from people or a place to create space
78
2.0
Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something
37
3.5
To leave a place suddenly to show you are angry or upset
37
8.1
Tell someone to leave in a rude way
20
3.8
Leave suddenly because you are in a hurry
16
3.2
To leave a place for a short time to do something
12
8.4
To tell someone to go away right away in a rude or angry way
12
7.7
Leave a place quickly, often in a rude way
12
7.9
To leave a place suddenly without permission
5
3.9
Say goodbye to people and go away from a place politely
3
4.1
To leave a group and move away in a different direction
2
2.5
Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry
2
9.5
To leave a place, often to walk somewhere or to look for work
1
9.9
To leave a place quickly because you do not want to be there
1
9.9
Leave a place very quickly
1
7.9
To leave a place quickly, often without saying goodbye
To leave a place quickly, often to avoid trouble
To leave quickly and quietly or tell someone rudely to go away
Leave a place quickly because you are not welcome
To leave a place suddenly, usually to go somewhere else
To leave a place quickly, often in a rude way
Antonyms
How Quickly
- Informal
11
4.5
273
3.2
- Informal
14
6.8
∞
1.0
207
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to leave' or 'to start a journey' follows directly from combining 'push' (apply force to move) with 'off' (away from a surface/place): the image of pushing away to begin movement maps clearly onto departing. This verb+particle compositional pattern is common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The phrasal verb push off comes from small boats. To start a trip people would push the boat off the shore with their hands or a pole. That's why push off now means 'to leave' or 'go away'.